The Mombasa Law Courts. Photo/ nation.co.ke
A Mombasa couple, Swaleh Yusuf and his wife Asma Abdala Mohammed have been charged alongside seven others at the Shanzu Law Courts for being in possession of 15Kgs of heroin said to be worth Sh47 millions.
The suspects were arrested on February 13 in an operation staged by anti-narcotics detectives in which Sh18.5 million was netted.Mr Yusuf is reported to be on the list of most wanted drug barons in Mombasa. He was once sentenced to life in prison but was later acquitted of the charges over lack of evidence after appealing the sentence.Principal Prosecuting Officer Jami Yamin requested the court not to release the suspects on bond.“The accused is a high profile trafficker who has a wide operative network. His release will likely interfere with investigations,” said Yamin.However, Yusuf and Asma on Tuesday denied the charges before Principal Magistrate Diana Mochache who ordered the accused persons to be detained for eight more days to allow police officers to complete investigations. The case will be heard on March 2.
The court is also expected to decide whether four other suspected drug smugglers: Mabil Loo, Lilian Bernard, Stephen Mang’iri and Bakari Kali will be remanded for three weeks or not.